A Case of Septic Pulmonary Embolism with an Initial Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

Abstract

Septic pulmonary embolism (SPE) is a rare lung disease that typically occurs when a thrombus containing microorganisms from a nonpulmonary infection focus settles in the pulmonary arteries via the hematogenous route and causes infarction and infection. Nonspecific symptoms such as fever, cough, and chest pain are manifested. SPE is associated with predisposing conditions such as infective endocarditis, intravenous drug addiction, venous catheter, tonsillitis, and tooth and pelvis infections. It has high morbidity and mortality, and the most important point that determines the prognosis is early diagnosis and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy in the early phase. SPE should be considered when the primary focus of infection is accompanied by high fever and multiple nodules and/or cavitary lesions, which are signs of feeding vessels in the lungs. Here, we present a case of SPE with a hemodialysis catheter and clinical findings of sepsis, which was referred to our center with a preliminary diagnosis of tuberculosis.